Advertisement
Help Keep Boards Alive. Support us by going ad free today. See here: https://subscriptions.boards.ie/.
https://www.boards.ie/group/1878-subscribers-forum

Private Group for paid up members of Boards.ie. Join the club.
Hi all, please see this major site announcement: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058427594/boards-ie-2026

Are "social smokers" just kidding themselves?

24567

Comments

  • #32
    bmwguy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,992 ✭✭✭bmwguy


    I only drink when I am smoking. In all honesty though, I look forward to smoking at weekends and drink for that purpose sometimes! Don't even want to drink but go drinking so I can justify smoking. Madness, but there you go!


  • #33
    The Backwards Man
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,299 ✭✭✭✭The Backwards Man


    I used to smoke OPs, but they are more or less disappeared now, can't get them anywhere.


  • #34
    The Backwards Man
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,299 ✭✭✭✭The Backwards Man


    GenieOz wrote: »
    I drink on average I'd say about once every 2 months, that's also the only time that I'll smoke.
    I would consider myself a social smoker as I smoke about 20 cigarettes a year..if you want to call me a smoker then fine, I don't really mind.

    'Smokers' in the general sense would be those that actively smoke and smell of smoke etc.
    If you smoke one fag a year I would consider you a smoker. One cigarette does as much harm as one hundred.


  • #35
    I Heart Internet
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,678 ✭✭✭I Heart Internet


    The Backwards Man wrote: »
    If you smoke one fag a year I would consider you a smoker. One cigarette does as much harm as one hundred.

    I agree with the first part. Not sure your second statement is correct!


  • #36
    Drakares
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 904 ✭✭✭Drakares


    I Heart Internet wrote: »
    So you're a smoker?

    Yes he is, because he doesn't smoke as often as people who are defined as "smokers" it is actually okay to add the word "social" in beforehand. Why are you so offended by this?


  • Advertisement
  • #37
    Knex*
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,475 ✭✭✭✭Knex*


    The Backwards Man wrote: »
    If you smoke one fag a year I would consider you a smoker. One cigarette does as much harm as one hundred.

    Is this some sort of homeopathic cigarette?


  • #38
    KingOfFairview
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,388 ✭✭✭KingOfFairview


    The Backwards Man wrote: »
    If you smoke one fag a year I would consider you a smoker. One cigarette does as much harm as one hundred.

    Would you ever stop talking dog**** :rolleyes:


  • #39
    I Heart Internet
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,678 ✭✭✭I Heart Internet


    Drakares wrote: »
    Yes he is, because he doesn't smoke as often as people who are defined as "smokers" it is actually okay to add the word "social" in beforehand. Why are you so offended by this?

    I just think they're kidding themselves. A smoker is a smoker.


  • #40
    bmwguy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,992 ✭✭✭bmwguy


    The Backwards Man wrote: »
    If you smoke one fag a year I would consider you a smoker. One cigarette does as much harm as one hundred.


    Are you sure? So no benefit in me quitting then?? Thanks, I wanted to for health reasons but I'll keep on puffing away now


  • #41
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 24,773 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    I Heart Internet wrote: »
    Are self-proclaimed "social-smokers" just kidding themselves. Adding the "social" bit to soften the blow to their eager or in an attept to portray themselves as not quite a smoker.

    A bit like me saying I'm a social-drinker. That just means I'm a drinker.

    It very simple really. A person describes themselves as a social smoker because they are confirming that yes they smoke but only do so in a social setting and not everyday of the week as a full-time smoker would.

    Its very simple really and makes perfect sense.

    A better drinker comparison would be the difference between a social drinker and an alcoholic as other have pointed out.
    The Backwards Man wrote: »
    If you smoke one fag a year I would consider you a smoker. One cigarette does as much harm as one hundred.

    You are way off with that statement. A couple of cigarettes every now and then is not going to do anything on you.


  • Advertisement
  • #42
    Drakares
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 904 ✭✭✭Drakares


    I Heart Internet wrote: »
    I just think they're kidding themselves. A smoker is a smoker.

    So here's a scenario. I smoked a fag 6 months ago when I was blind drunk and my colleague here smokes 10 a day. Are we both smokers?

    Furthermore, a doctor asks us both if we smoke. Do we both answer simply with "yes"?


  • #43
    keane2097
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 17,905 ✭✭✭✭keane2097


    Seems worth asking what the value is in blindly classifying people into two big, brash categories is when there's very obviously an entire spectrum of behaviour?

    A bit like this gem here which ignores entire swathes of people with myriad preferences in terms of the much safer and easier to decide which side you're on worldview of "quares and straights".
    comongethappy wrote: »
    Same as:

    "I only sleep with members of the same sex when I'm out drinking on the weekend.

    I'm not gay though."


  • #44
    The Backwards Man
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,299 ✭✭✭✭The Backwards Man


    I Heart Internet wrote: »
    I agree with the first part. Not sure your second statement is correct!
    Might be a bit of a slight exaggeration, but there is no such thing as a safe level when it comes to cigarettes.


  • #45
    KingOfFairview
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,388 ✭✭✭KingOfFairview


    The Backwards Man wrote: »
    Might be a bit of a slight exaggeration, but there is no such thing as a safe level when it comes to cigarettes.

    Yes there is.


  • #46
    I Heart Internet
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,678 ✭✭✭I Heart Internet


    Harley Bumpy Dropout wrote: »
    A better drinker comparison would be the difference between a social drinker and an alcoholic as other have pointed out.

    Fair enough.
    Harley Bumpy Dropout wrote: »
    You are way off with that statement. A couple of cigarettes every now and then is not going to do anything on you.

    Well that's just not true and points to why your drinker point above is dodgy. A single cigarette can trigger the cell mutation in the lung that gives you cancer.


  • #47
    I Heart Internet
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,678 ✭✭✭I Heart Internet


    Drakares wrote: »
    So here's a scenario. I smoked a fag 6 months ago when I was blind drunk and my colleague here smokes 10 a day. Are we both smokers?"

    Yes. You're a recovering smoker.
    Drakares wrote: »
    Furthermore, a doctor asks us both if we smoke. Do we both answer simply with "yes"?

    No. You both say yes and follow it up with the frequency.


  • #48
    Drakares
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 904 ✭✭✭Drakares


    The Backwards Man wrote: »
    If you smoke one fag a year I would consider you a smoker. One cigarette does as much harm as one hundred.

    You are also a smoker then. You are constantly inhaling fumes similar to that of a cigarette in any case when you walk down the town.


  • #49
    Maximus Alexander
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,080 ✭✭✭✭Maximus Alexander


    Are there honestly people who feel that there is no difference, no sort of sliding scale between smoking 5 cigarettes on a Friday night and smoking 280 a week? As someone who used to smoke about 120 a week, I can assure you there's a difference.

    The mind, it boggles.


  • #50
    I Heart Internet
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,678 ✭✭✭I Heart Internet


    Maximus Alexander wrote: »
    Are there honestly people who feel that there is no difference, no sort of sliding scale between smoking 5 cigarettes on a Friday night and smoking 280 a week? As someone who used to smoke about 120 a week, I can assure you there's a difference.

    The mind, it boggles.

    There's a huge difference. But both people are smokers.


  • #51
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 24,773 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    I Heart Internet wrote: »

    Well that's just not true and points to why your drinker point above is dodgy. A single cigarette can trigger the cell mutation in the lung that gives you cancer.

    I don't believe that occasional smoking is of much risk at all and certainly not on the level of one triggering cell mutation.

    People have wildly different views of what social drinking is also you have to remember. What I count only having a few others would call a large amount of drink etc.


  • Advertisement
  • #52
    Maximus Alexander
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,080 ✭✭✭✭Maximus Alexander


    I Heart Internet wrote: »
    There's a huge difference. But both people are smokers.

    "EVERYTHING IS BLACK OR WHITE!!"

    "This is gray."

    "IT'S BLACK THEN!"


  • #53
    I Heart Internet
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,678 ✭✭✭I Heart Internet


    Maximus Alexander wrote: »
    "EVERYTHING IS BLACK OR WHITE!!"

    "This is gray."

    "IT'S BLACK THEN!"

    Smokey grey.


  • #54
    The Backwards Man
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,299 ✭✭✭✭The Backwards Man


    Drakares wrote: »
    You are also a smoker then. You are constantly inhaling fumes similar to that of a cigarette in any case when you walk down the town.
    And if I was smoking I'd be inhaling more toxins, thus increasing the risk to my health.


  • #55
    R P McMurphy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,129 ✭✭✭R P McMurphy


    Harley Bumpy Dropout wrote: »
    I don't believe that occasional smoking is of much risk at all and certainly not on the level of one triggering cell mutation.

    People have wildly different views of what social drinking is also you have to remember. What I count only having a few others would call a large amount of drink etc.

    Any single cigarette could trigger cell mutation. Could be your first ever one, then again you could smoke 80 a day from 16 to 86 and it never happen.


  • #56
    OldNotWIse
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12,468 ✭✭✭✭OldNotWIse


    I dont understand the point of this. I smoke when I am out drinking. How am I kidding myself?


  • #57
    I Heart Internet
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,678 ✭✭✭I Heart Internet


    OldNotWIse wrote: »
    I dont understand the point of this. I smoke when I am out drinking. How am I kidding myself?

    You're not, unless you say that "I don't smoke." or "I'm not a smoker." or say that "I'm a social smoker" and think that means that you're not a real smoker.

    Other than that, you're fine. Go for it*



    *Actually I'd advise you to quit...


  • #58
    Idle Passerby
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,133 ✭✭✭Idle Passerby


    The clue is in the name. Social Smokers


  • #59
    thorbarry
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,128 ✭✭✭thorbarry


    load of pony


  • #60
    OldNotWIse
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12,468 ✭✭✭✭OldNotWIse


    I Heart Internet wrote: »
    You're not, unless you say that "I don't smoke." or "I'm not a smoker." or say that "I'm a social smoker" and think that means that you're not a real smoker.

    Other than that, you're fine. Go for it*



    *Actually I'd advise you to quit...

    What's a "real smoker"???? more to the point, whats a faux smoker?


  • Advertisement
  • #61
    I Heart Internet
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,678 ✭✭✭I Heart Internet


    OldNotWIse wrote: »
    What's a "real smoker"???? more to the point, whats a faux smoker?

    Real smoker = someone who smokes

    Some people would have you believe that "social smoker" != smoker


Advertisement
Advertisement